Preventive effect of urinary trypsin inhibitor on the development of liver fibrosis in mice

2011 ◽  
Vol 236 (11) ◽  
pp. 1314-1321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toru Kono ◽  
Yurino Kashiwade ◽  
Toshiyuki Asama ◽  
Naoyuki Chisato ◽  
Yoshiaki Ebisawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Trypsin Inhibitor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Urinary Trypsin Inhibitor ◽  
Severe Liver ◽  
Fibrosis Marker

Urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) is a serine protease inhibitor produced in the liver that inhibits the production and activation of various cytokines, notably transforming growth factor- β (TGF- β), which are associated with the progression of liver fibrosis. However, the various roles of endogenous UTI in liver fibrosis have not been examined. This study, therefore, examined the long-term effects of UTI deficiency during both steady-state conditions and thioacetamide (TA)-induced liver fibrosis. Furthermore, the effects of continuous exogenous UTI administration were examined. Analyses of liver fibrosis marker, hyaluronic acid (HA), TGF- β concentrations and histological findings at 30 weeks of age showed that homozygous UTI-knockout (KO) mice had higher HA and TGF- β concentrations than did heterozygous UTI-KO mice and wild-type mice, although there was no histological evidence of liver fibrosis in these mice. TA treatment for 20 weeks also resulted in greater HA and TGF- β levels in homozygous mice than in heterozygous and wild-type mice. Furthermore, homozygous mice had more severe liver fibrosis based on histological analyses. HA and TGF- β levels were lower in homozygous UTI-KO mice that were continuously administered UTI versus those given distilled water. These findings indicate that UTI deficiency leads to the production of HA and hepatic TGF- β and that administering exogenous UTI can ameliorate these changes. We conclude that endogenous UTI is produced in the liver to suppress the production and activation of TGF- β and that administering exogenous UTI may be therapeutically beneficial for preventing liver fibrosis.

scholarly journals Inhibition of FGF and TGF-β Pathways in hESCs Identify STOX2 as a Novel SMAD2/4 Cofactor

Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 470
Author(s):  
Peter F. Renz ◽  
Daniel Spies ◽  
Panagiota Tsikrika ◽  
Anton Wutz ◽  
Tobias A. Beyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Cell Signaling ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Pluripotent Cells ◽  
Wide Range

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathways are both involved in the maintenance of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and regulate the onset of their differentiation. Their converging functions have suggested that these pathways might share a wide range of overlapping targets. Published studies have focused on the long-term effects (24–48 h) of FGF and TGF-β inhibition in hESCs, identifying direct and indirect target genes. In this study, we focused on the earliest transcriptome changes occurring between 3 and 9 h after FGF and TGF-β inhibition to identify direct target genes only. Our analysis clearly shows that only a handful of target transcripts are common to both pathways. This is surprising in light of the previous literature, and has implications for models of cell signaling in human pluripotent cells. In addition, we identified STOX2 as a novel primary target of the TGF-β signaling pathway. We show that STOX2 might act as a novel SMAD2/4 cofactor. Taken together, our results provide insights into the effect of cell signaling on the transcription profile of human pluripotent cells

scholarly journals Long-Term Aspartame Administration Leads to Fibrosis, Inflammasome Activation, and Gluconeogenesis Impairment in the Liver of Mice

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Isabela A. Finamor ◽  
Caroline A. Bressan ◽  
Isabel Torres-Cuevas ◽  
Sergio Rius-Pérez ◽  
Marcelo da Veiga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Damage ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Inflammasome Activation ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Type I ◽  
Artificial Sweetener

Background: Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in foods and beverages worldwide. However, it is linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver damage through mechanisms that are not fully elucidated yet. This work aimed to investigate the effects of long-term administration of aspartame on the oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms associated with liver fibrosis progression in mice. Methods: Mice were divided into two groups with six animals each: control and aspartame. Aspartame (80 mg/kg, via oral) or vehicle was administrated for 12 weeks. Results: Aspartame caused liver damage and elevated serum transaminase levels. Aspartame also generated liver fibrosis, as evidenced by histology analysis, and pro-fibrotic markers’ upregulation, including transforming growth factor β 1, collagen type I alpha 1, and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Furthermore, aspartame reduced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation and enzymatic antioxidant activity and increased lipid peroxidation, which triggered NOD-like receptor containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and p53 induction. Furthermore, aspartame reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) levels, possibly through p53 activation. This PGC-1α deficiency could be responsible for the changes in lipid profile in serum, total lipid accumulation, and gluconeogenesis impairment in liver, evidenced by the gluconeogenic enzymes’ downregulation, thus causing hypoglycemia. Conclusions: This work provides new insights to understand the mechanisms related to the adverse effects of aspartame on liver tissue.

Latency-associated Peptide Degradation Fragments Produced in Stellate Cells and Phagocytosed by Macrophages in Bile Duct-ligated Mouse Liver

2021 ◽  
pp. 002215542110536
Author(s):  
Ikuyo Inoue ◽  
Xian-Yang Qin ◽  
Takahiro Masaki ◽  
Yoshihiro Mezaki ◽  
Tomokazu Matsuura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bile Duct ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Mouse Liver ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Degradation Products ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Cell Source

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) activation is involved in various pathogeneses, such as fibrosis and malignancy. We previously showed that TGF-β was activated by serine protease plasma kallikrein-dependent digestion of latency-associated peptides (LAPs) and developed a method to detect LAP degradation products (LAP-DPs) in the liver and blood using specific monoclonal antibodies. Clinical studies have revealed that blood LAP-DPs are formed in the early stages of liver fibrosis. This study aimed to identify the cell source of LAP-DP formation during liver fibrosis. The N-terminals of LAP-DPs ending at residue Arg58 (R58) were stained in liver sections of a bile duct-ligated liver fibrosis model at 3 and 13 days. R58 LAP-DPs were detected in quiescent hepatic stellate cells at day 3 and in macrophages on day 13 after ligation of the bile duct. We then performed a detailed analysis of the axial localization of R58 signals in a single macrophage, visualized the cell membrane with the anti-CLEC4F antibody, and found R58 LAP-DPs surrounded by the membrane in phagocytosed debris that appeared to be dead cells. These findings suggest that in the early stages of liver fibrosis, TGF-β is activated on the membrane of stellate cells, and then the cells are phagocytosed after cell death: (J Histochem Cytochem XX:XXX–XXX, XXXX)

scholarly journals Enhanced Antimycobacterial Response to RecombinantMycobacterium bovis BCG Expressing Latency-Associated Peptide

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 6676-6682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben G. Marshall ◽  
Arun Wangoo ◽  
Peadar O'Gaora ◽  
H. Terry Cook ◽  
Rory J. Shaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Mycobacterial Infection ◽  
Acute Stage ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Memory Response

ABSTRACT With a view to exploring the role of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) during mycobacterial infection, recombinant clones of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) were engineered to express the natural antagonist of TGF-β, latency-activated peptide (LAP). Induction of TGF-β activity was reduced when macrophages were infected with BCG expressing the LAP construct (LAP-BCG). There was a significant reduction in the growth of LAP-BCG in comparison to that of control BCG following intravenous infection in a mouse model. The enhanced control of mycobacterial replication was associated with an increase in the production of gamma interferon by splenocytes challenged during the acute stage of infection but with a diminished recall response assessed after 13 weeks. Organ weight and hydroxyproline content, representing tissue pathology, were also lower in mice infected with LAP-BCG. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that TGF-β has a detrimental effect on mycobacterial immunity. While a reduction in TGF-β activity augments the initial response to BCG vaccination, early bacterial clearance may adversely affect the induction of a long-term memory response by LAP-BCG.

scholarly journals TAK1 deficiency attenuates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (1) ◽  
pp. F209-F215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Zhou ◽  
Changlong An ◽  
Xiaogao Jin ◽  
Zhaoyong Hu ◽  
Robert L. Safirstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Tubular Epithelial Cell ◽  
Tubular Damage ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Deficient Mice

Cisplatin can cause acute kidney injury (AKI), but the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. The objective of the present study was to examine the role of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase-1 (TAK1) in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced AKI. Wild-type mice and proximal tubule TAK1-deficient mice were treated with vehicle or cisplatin. Compared with wild-type control mice, proximal tubule TAK1-deficient mice had less severe kidney dysfunction, tubular damage, and apoptosis after cisplatin–induced AKI. Furthermore, conditional disruption of TAK1 in proximal tubular epithelial cells reduced caspase-3 activation, proinflammatory molecule expression, and JNK phosphorylation in the kidney in cisplatin-induced AKI. Taken together, cisplatin activates TAK1-JNK signaling pathway to promote tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation in cisplatin-induced AKI. Targeting TAK1 could be a novel therapeutic strategy against cisplatin-induced AKI.

scholarly journals SOCS1 Is a Suppressor of Liver Fibrosis and Hepatitis-induced Carcinogenesis

2004 ◽  
Vol 199 (12) ◽  
pp. 1701-1707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takafumi Yoshida ◽  
Hisanobu Ogata ◽  
Masaki Kamio ◽  
Akiko Joo ◽  
Hiroshi Shiraishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Injury ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Cytokine Signaling ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gene Methylation ◽  
Severe Liver ◽  
Hepatocellular Carcinomas ◽  
Murine Liver

Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) mainly develop from liver cirrhosis and severe liver fibrosis that are established with long-lasting inflammation of the liver. Silencing of the suppressor of the cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS1) gene, a negative regulator of cytokine signaling, by DNA methylation has been implicated in development or progress of HCC. However, how SOCS1 contributes to HCC is unknown. We examined SOCS1 gene methylation in >200 patients with chronic liver disease and found that the severity of liver fibrosis is strongly correlated with SOCS1 gene methylation. In murine liver fibrosis models using dimethylnitrosamine, mice with haploinsufficiency of the SOCS1 gene (SOCS1−/+ mice) developed more severe liver fibrosis than did wild-type littermates (SOCS1+/+ mice). Moreover, carcinogen-induced HCC development was also enhanced by heterozygous deletion of the SOCS1 gene. These findings suggest that SOCS1 contributes to protection against hepatic injury and fibrosis, and may also protect against hepatocarcinogenesis.

scholarly journals MCP-1, not MIP-1α, Is the Endogenous Chemokine That Cooperates With TGF-β to Inhibit the Cycling of Primitive Normal but not Leukemic (CML) Progenitors in Long-Term Human Marrow Cultures

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (7) ◽  
pp. 2338-2344 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.D. Cashman ◽  
C.J. Eaves ◽  
A.H. Sarris ◽  
A.C. Eaves
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 ◽  
Inflammatory Protein ◽  
Progenitor Cell Proliferation ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Macrophage Inflammatory Protein

Abstract The long-term culture (LTC) system has been useful for analyzing mechanisms by which stromal cells regulate the proliferative activity of primitive normal, but not chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), hematopoietic progenitor cells. In previous studies, we identified two endogenous inhibitors in this system. One is transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which is equally active on primitive normal and CML progenitors. The other we now show to be monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Thus, MCP-1, when added to LTC, blocked the activation of primitive normal progenitors but did not arrest the cycling of primitive CML progenitors. Moreover, the endogenous inhibitory activity of LTC stromal layers could be overcome by the addition of neutralizing antibodies to MCP-1, but not to macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α). However, neither of these antibodies antagonized the inhibitory activity of NAc-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (AcSDKP) on primitive normal but not CML progenitor cycling in this system. Moreover, none of six other -C-C- or -C-X-C- chemokines, previously shown to inhibit primitive normal human CFC proliferation in semisolid assays, were found to act as negative regulators when added to normal LTC. These results provide further support for the concept that primitive CML progenitor cell proliferation is deregulated when these cells are exposed to limiting concentrations of multiple inhibitors, only some of which have differential actions on normal and Ph+/BCR-ABL+ cells.

scholarly journals α2-Adrenergic Receptor in Liver Fibrosis: Implications for the Adrenoblocker Mesedin

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute A. Schwinghammer ◽  
Magda M. Melkonyan ◽  
Lilit Hunanyan ◽  
Roman Tremmel ◽  
Ralf Weiskirchen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Injury ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells ◽  
Mediated Effects ◽  
Liver Sinusoids ◽  
Endothelial Nitric Oxide

The noradrenergic system is proposed to play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. While α1- and β-adrenergic receptors (ARs) are suggested to be involved in a multitude of profibrogenic actions, little is known about α2-AR-mediated effects and their expression pattern during liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. We explored the expression of α2-AR in two models of experimental liver fibrosis. We further evaluated the capacity of the α2-AR blocker mesedin to deactivate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and to increase the permeability of human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (hLSECs). The mRNA of α2a-, α2b-, and α2c-AR subtypes was uniformly upregulated in carbon tetrachloride-treated mice vs the controls, while in bile duct-ligated mice, only α2b-AR increased in response to liver injury. In murine HSCs, mesedin led to a decrease in α-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β and α2a-AR expression, which was indicated by RT-qPCR, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot analyses. In a hLSEC line, an increased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase was detected along with downregulated transforming growth factor-β. In conclusion, we suggest that the α2-AR blockade alleviates the activation of HSCs and may increase the permeability of liver sinusoids during liver injury.

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